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Darlene Grant, PhD, LCSW Recognized as 2006 NASW Social Worker of the Year
Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Researcher, Professor at University of Texas at Austin
Washington –The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is pleased to name Darlene Grant, PhD, LCSW the 2006 Social Worker of the Year. Dr. Grant has provided psychotherapy in domestic violence, child, youth and family services, as well as alcohol and substance abuse treatment. Her research, Troop 1500: Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, examines the relationships between incarcerated women and their non-custodial children.
In addition to her extensive clinical work and the dedication to research, she is a Professor at the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Social Work and an Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. In her work with undergraduate and graduate students, she emphasizes social justice, client empowerment, utilization of supervision and mentoring, and a commitment to professionalism.
“Through Dr. Grant’s research with incarcerated women and their children, we are able to better understand how their relationships can be forged and strengthened,” says Dr. Elizabeth Clark, NASW executive director. “She serves as an evaluator to the research and a role model to the incarcerated women and their daughters.”
Troop 1500: Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, a practice-based research project, has been featured in local and national media, and will be featured in a PBS documentary. For the past seven years, Dr. Grant has gone beyond her role as principal investigator by visiting the Gatesville prison once a month to visit with the mothers of these girls and supports the Girl Scout troop.
In her role as an Associate Professor of Social Work, she has created a safe classroom environment for students to explore their responsibility to address sensitive and controversial issues. As Associate Dean in The Graduate School, she oversees recruitment and outreach with a charge to enhance student diversity across more than 100 graduate degree programs. She was appointed Chair of the Task Force on Racial Respect and Fairness at the University of Texas at Austin and has guided the University toward making significant advances to achieve greater diversity and attention to issues of racial equity.
After receiving her Master of Social Science Administration in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Grant spent many years working with children and families, providing case management and psychotherapy services. She received a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and joined the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin where she has continued to make contributions to uplifting the School of Social Work and to the entire University community.
It is with great honor that NASW recognizes Darlene Grant, PhD, LCSW as 2006 Social Worker of the Year.
For more information about Dr. Grant, or to set up an interview, please contact NASW Communications at media@naswdc.org or 202-336-8228.
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The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 140,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.